🌱 City School Zone Speed Initiative + Ridge View Bank Breaks Ground

Hello, Roanoke and Happy Friday Jr. (Thursday for the uninitiated.) It's Ian, host of the Roanoke Daily here with your morning news update. Take a moment to catch up while your coffee brews!

First, here is a peek at today's weather:

A few stray thunderstorms possible. High: 85 Low: 65.

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Here are the top five stories in Roanoke today:

1. Roanoke City has launched the third phase of its DMV-funded pedestrian safety initiative, No Need To Speed. Focused on keeping children safe in school zones, the initiative aims to educate drivers and future drivers about safe driving priorities. City officials say traffic accidents in school zones in Roanoke have increased 85% in the last five years. (WDBJ)
2. Ridge View Bank, a division of CNB Banking, has broken ground on a brand new facility on Main Street in Salem. The facility will be the first in the Roanoke Valley for Ridge View and a representative for the company has said it will feature the latest in smart technology. (WFIR)
3. Roanoke City Public Schools has announced that more than 70 employers have signed up to participate in its student job fair. “It’s very important to be able to connect our students with the employers in the region,” RCPS Superintendent Verletta White says. The job fair will be held May 23 from 4 to 7 p.m. at The Berglund Center. (WDBJ)
4. Dr. Pepper Park at The Bridges has announced that Prince Tribute: Dean Ford & The Beautiful Ones will play June 10. Food and drinks will be available on site from local vendors. Gates will open at 6 p.m. (Dr. Pepper Park)
5. The owners of popular local Vietnamese restaurant Vina Café, Morris Pham and Peggy Dinh, have announced the closing of the Hershberger Road business. Pham and Dinh opened the restaurant eight years ago after the urging of friends who adored Pham's cooking and said the decision was a difficult one, but being in their 60s now they're ready to retire. (Roanoke Times)
6. Dr. Cynthia Morrow, head of The Roanoke City-Alleghany Health District, has shared an update on COVID-19 saying confirmed cases in the area continue to climb. Additionally, Dr. Morrow said the Health District was dispatched to investigate a case of Hepatitis A at a local Italian restaurant. (WDBJ)

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Events Happening Today in Roanoke:

• Party in Elmwood - Roanoke City Special Events (5:30 p.m.)
• Bill Deal's Original Rhondels - Downtown Roanoke, Inc. (5:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke says "They may not look very blue yet but these are baby Blue Jays that were admitted today at the Center after their nest was completely destroyed and they could not be re-nested." (Facebook)
• Roanoke Police Department asks citizens to "Please help us welcome back Police Support Technicians Baker and Guthrie! Baker and Guthrie left the department in 2019 and 2021, respectively. Both have come back to serve their community again. Welcome back to the team, ladies!" (Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: says "We are so thankful that we have been awarded a grant in the amount of $7,500 from the Phalia M. and Guy M. Kinder Fund of Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia! This grant will benefit our Sara Jane and Mickey Second Chance Fund." (Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools wants you to know that "May is Better Hearing and Speech Month and today is National Speech Pathologist Day! Our Speech Language Pathologists work to ensure all our students are able to communicate. Join us in thanking them for all they do!" (Facebook)

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Thanks for following The Patch Roanoke Daily! I'll see you tomorrow morning for another update!

— Ian

About me: Ian Graham is a novelist, screenwriter, and freelance contributing writer. He is a firm believer in being yourself … unless you can be Batman. Always be Batman.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Roanoke Daily? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com